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BBPA announces new chief executive

Simmonds said she was delighted to be joining the BBPA: “I very much look forward to working with the industry to promote the positive role pubs and beer play in our economy, community and the daily lives of millions of people throughout the country.”

“I relish the opportunity to take forward the agenda on socially responsible drinking and communicate the benefits of a product which is second to none,” she added.

Michael Turner, chairman of the BBPA said that Simmonds, who previously worked for 17 years as chief executive of Business In Sport and Leisure, which represents over 100 private sector commercial companies in the sports and leisure industry, would bring a wealth of experience to the role.

“Brigid has an excellent reputation and track record of working closely and effectively with ministers, officials and parliamentarians. I feel confident that she will unite the industry, drive the agenda and continue the recent work of putting the BBPA on the front foot,” he said.

Simmonds, who is due to take up her new role on 7 September, is also chair of CCPR, the alliance of governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK.

She is a past chairman of the Tourism Alliance and in June 2006 she was awarded an OBE for services to sport in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.